Collapsible carriage.



O. S. SPOFFORD & J. A. HENRY.

OOLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION I'ILBD-SEPT.1, 1911. 1,091,023 Patented Mar. 24, 1914 3 SHEETS SHEBT 1.

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O. S. SIlOPFORD & J. A. HENRY. GOLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1911.

1,091,025. a Patented Mar. 24, 191 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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G. S. SPOFFORD & J. A. HENRY.

OOLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

, APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1911.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. c.

CHRISTOPHER S. SPOFFORD AND JAMES A. HENRY, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN ASSIGNORS T0 S'IURGIS STEEL GO-CART 00., OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Mar. 24:, 1914.

Application filed September 1, 1911. Serial No. 647,256.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHRISTOPHER S. Srorronn and James A. HENRY, citizens of the United States, residing at the city of Sturgis, county of St. Joseph, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Carriages, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible carriages.

Our improvements are particularly ap plicable to, and we have embodied them 1n practice and here illustrate them 1n, a structure of the type shown in the patent to Kurz, No. 866,145 of September 17, 1907, for collapsible carriage, although they may be embodied and readily adapted for use in various other relations.

The main objects of the invention are: First, to provide an improved construction of collapsible carriage having stiff or noniiexible side members for the seat. Second, to provide an improved collapsible carriage having stiff or non-flexible sides which may be formed of light material and at the same time when the carriage is erected, are effectively braced and supported.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies of construction will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointcd out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of our improvements, a portion of the top covering being broken away, Fig. II is an inverted detail with the wheels removed. Fig. III is a detail vertical section taken on a line corre sponding to line 33 of Fig. II, showin g the arrangement of the parts. Fig. IV is a detail section corresponding to that of Fig. III, with the structure partially collapsed. Fig. V is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. III. Fig. VI is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line G-6 of Fig. I. Fig. VII is a detail view showing the top swung to the limit of its forward movement. Fig. VIII is a detail slde view of the carriage collapsed.

Inthe drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar. parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to. the drawing, 1 represents the running gear frame. The handle 2 is secured at the rear end of the running gear frame by means of the pivots 3, so that it is adapted to fold forwardly upon the frame in collapsing the carriage, as is shown in Fig. VIII. The wheel supports a are pivotally supported in hangers 5 on the running gear frame. The wheel supports are preferably formed of rods having downwardly projecting wheel carrying arms 6 thereon provided with suitable journals 7 for the wheels 8. The wheel supports 4 are supported so that they are free to swing to permit the folding of the wheels upon each other under the running gear frame. The wheel supports are erected and collapsed by means of the levers 9 which are pivoted at 10 to the running gear frame. The lower ends of the levers 9 project below the running gear frame and coact with the cam loops 11 on the wheel supports. The upper ends of the levers are connected by the links 12 to the handle 2. Vhen the handle is swung forward, the levers 9 acting on the cams 11 swing the wheel supports inwardly or collapse them. When the handle is raised, the wheel supports are swung to their erected position. The levers 9 are locked in their erected positions and the wheel supports are braced by means of the braces 13 and 14. These braces are pivoted on the running gear frame and connected by the links 15 and 16 respectively to the levers so that they are actuated through the actuation of the levers. The wheel supports are provided with clips 17 adapted to receive the braces when the parts are in their erected positions. The seat 18 is supported at its forward end by the springs 19 which are secured to the under side of the seat and project downwardly and forwardly, the

forward ends being connected to the running gear frame. The rear end of the seat is supported by the s-shaped springs 20 so that the seat is supported by the springs directly upon the running gear frame. As the details of these parts described form no part tion, and therefore we do not illustrate or describe the same with further detail herein.

The seat sides 23 are supported independently of the seat by means of thelevers 9 and the handle 2. The forward ends of the sides are secured by the pivots 24k to the links 9 while their rear ends are secured by the pivots 25 to the side members of the bandle. The sides are preferably formed of thin board-like body portions 26 with suitable covering of leather or other suitable material. A metal binding strip 28 is preferably provided for the outer edge and rear ends of the sides. The bottom edges of the covering are preferably brought together below the body 26 and connected by stitching or otherwise at 29 (see Fig. V). The sides are arranged on the inside of the links 12.

The levers 9 are arranged on the inside of the sides and are offset outwardly at 30, the links 12 being connected to the offset upper ends of the levers.- The forward edges of the sides are notched at 31 to receive the offset portions of the levers. The bars'32 for the sides are pivotally connected to the levers 9 and the side members of the handle 2 by the pivots 24: and 25 respectively. The bars are preferably arranged along side the body portions 26 of thesides, their forward ends being curved upwardly as illustrated. The bars assist in supporting the sides and relievethem of strain and prevent warping, so that thin panels may be used. The bars may be dispensed with when a sufficiently stiff panel is made use of.

WVhen the carriage is erected, the sides are supported against both inward and outward movement by the links 12 and the levers 9. When the carriage is collapsed, the

levers swing forward (see Fig. VIII). The sides are carried forward in this collapsing movement, as will clearly appear from an inspection of Figs. 1 and VIII.

The carriage top 33 is of the bow type such as is illustrated in the patent to Losh bough, No. 941,374, dated November 30, 1909, for folding carriage, and is provided with the adjustable features of the structure there illustrated, it being here adapted to the structure of this patent and combined therewith.

The brackets 34, on which the top bow supporting segment plates 35 are mounted by a pin and slot connection, are mounted upon the links 12 instead of upon the running gear frame, as in the patent to Loshbough referred to. The top thus collapses and is disposed compactly about the board sides when in the folded position. lVhen the carriage is collapsed, the top is carried forward with the links 12, making the structure very compact.

The plates 35 are provided with projections 36 which engage the pin 44: on the bracket, the forward projection 86 engaging the pin 141- to limit the forward movement of the top so that in collapsing the top, it cannot fall forward. The bolt 4-5 on the bracket engages the slot 16 in the plate.

The rigid sides add very greatly to the appearance and attractiveness of the carriage, and further the child cannot push them out at one side or the other as might occur with flexible sides such as have been heretofore commonly used in the carriages of this type.

The foot rest frame 37 is pivoted at 38 on the brackets 39 which project upward from the running gear frame. The foot rest is adjustably supported in its elevated position by means of bail-like brace 40 which is pivoted at 41 to the foot rest frame, and projects downwardly and rearwardly to engage the cross piece 42 at the lower ends of the levers 9. The upward movement of the foot rest is limited by the stops 43 on the brackets 89. This prevents the foot rest being swung up far enough to allow the bail-like brace 10 to be disengaged from its support 4-2. The foot rest thus supported by the brackets is brought well up to the forward edge of the seat, so that the feet of the child are well protected thereby.

Our improved collapsible carriage is very desirable on account of the ease with which it may be manipulated in erecting and collapsing, and further when collapsed, it is very compact.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in detail in the form in which we have embodied the same. While we are aware that considerable modification in structural details is possible, we have not attempted to illustrate or describe such modifications as they will undoubtedly be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates. We desire to be understood, however, as claiming our invention specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel sup-ports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle, said sides being arranged 011 the inside of said links and handle and on the outside of said levers, said levers being offset at their upper ends, the forward ends of the sides being slotted to receive said offsets when the carriage is erected; side bars for said sides, mounted on the side supporting pivots; a collapsible top mounted upon said links, said top being adapted when collapsed to embrace the rear ends of the sides, said handle being adapted when collapsed to swing over said top and sides; a seat mounted on said running gear frame between said sides and independently thereof and inde pendently of said levers and handle; a back mounted on said seat to fold forwardly thereon between said sides; and connections for said back to said levers whereby said back is automatically collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting 0f the handles.

2. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle p-ivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle; a collapsible top mounted upon said links, said top being adapted when collapsed to embrace the rear ends of the sides, said handle being adapted when collapsed to swing over said top and sides; a seat mounted on said running gear frame between said sides and independently thereof and independently of said levers and handle; a back mounted on said seat to fold forwardly thereon between said sides; and connections for said back to said levers whereby said back is automatically collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handles.

In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel sup-ports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsible and erecting of the handle; sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle; a seat mounted on said running gear frame between said sides and independently thereof and independently of said levers and handle; a back mounted on said seat to fold forwardly thereon between said sides; and connections for said back to said levers whereby said back is automatically collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handles.

4. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle; and a collapsible top mounted upon said links, said top being adapted when collapsed to embrace the rear ends of the sides, said handle being adapted when collapsed to swing over said top and sides.

5. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; and sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle.

6. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connecting said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle, said sides being arranged on the inside of said links and handle and on the outside of said levers, said levers being offset at their upper ends, the forward ends of the sides being slotted to receive said offsets when the carriage is erected; and side bars for said sides, mounted on the side supporting pivots.

7. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle pivotally mounted on said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; links connect-ing said handle and levers whereby the wheel supports are collapsed and erected upon the collapsing and erecting of the handle; and sides pivotally mounted on the said levers and handle, said sides being arranged on the inside of said links and handle and on the outside of said levers, said levers being offset at their upper ends, the forward ends of the sides being slotted to receive said offsets when the carriage is erected.

8. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame, of

' collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; a handle connected to said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; connecting links for said handle and levers;'a seat supported on the running gear frame independently of said wheelsupports, levers, handle, and links; seat sides disposed on the inner sides of said links; and a collapsible top mounted on said links, said links being adapted to swing down at the sides of the seat when the structure is collapsed, said top being adapted to embrace the seat sides when the links are collapsed and beingmoved bodily forward by the collapsing of the links.

9. In a collapsible carnage, the combination with the running gear frame, of a seat;

a handle connected to said frame to fold forwardly thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports, pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and handle, said seat being supported on said running gear frame independently of said handle, wheel supports, levers and links, said links being adapted to swing down at the sides of the seat when the carriage is collapsed; seat sides disposed on the inner sides of said links; and a collapsible top mounted on said links to collapse rearwardly and adapted to embrace the seat sides when the structure is collapsed.

10. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame, of collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports mounted on said running gear frame; a handle connected to said frame to collapse forwardly thereon; connecting links for said handle and levers; a seat mounted on said running gear frame independently of said levers, handle and links, said links being adapted to swing down at the sides of the seat when the carriage is'collapsed; seat sides disposed on the inner sides of said links; and a collapsible top mounted on said links to collapse rearwardly and adapted to embrace the seat sides when the links are collapsed, said handle being adapted to collapse forwardly over the top.

11. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of a seat; a handle connected to said frame to fold forwardly thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connect-ing links for said levers and said handle; side members for said seat pivotally mounted on said handles and levers; and a collapsible top mounted on said links adapted to collapse rearwardly between said handles and when collapsed to embrace the rear ends of said side members, said handle being adapted to swing forwardly over said top when the top is collapsed.

12. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with a running gear frame, of a seat; a handle connected to said frame to fold forwardly thereon; collapsible wheel supports; levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally mounted on said running gear frame; connecting links for said levers and said handle; and side members for said seat pivotally mounted on said handle and levers.

13. In a collapsible carriage, the combination with the running gear frame, of a seat, a handle connected to said frame to fold forwardly thereon, collapsible wheel supports, levers for actuating said wheel supports pivotally'mounted on said running gear frame, connecting links for said levers and said handle, side members for said seat, said links being adapted to swing down at the sides of the side members when the carriage is collapsed, and a collapsible top mounted on said links to collapse rearwardly and adapted to embrace the side members when the links are collapsed.

, 14. In a collapsible carriage, the combination of a running gear frame, of a seat, side members therefor, collapsible wheel supports, means for collapsing said wheel supports comprising members adapted to swing down at the sides of the side members when the carriage is collapsed, and a collapsible top mounted on said carriage collapsing members and adapted to collapse rearwardly and embrace said seat side members when Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. C. 

